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Unite the Union nominates me for Elmet and Rothwell

I’m delighted and honoured to be able to let you all know that Unite the Union, Britain’s biggest trade union, has nominated me to be the prospective Parliamentary candidate for Elmet and Rothwell. Every local Labour Party branch and affiliated organisation (which includes trade unions) is allowed to nominate three prospective candidates – one man, one woman and one BAME (black, Asian, minority ethnic). I’m the only local candidate to receive a nomination. This is a real boost and local members have already contacted me to say how pleased they are. One texted me to say: “I’m glad Unite are fully supporting you.”

The support of Unite for me as the local candidate is really important to me. The Labour Party was born from within the trade union movement and it’s not a link that she should let lapse. I’ve been a union member for all my working life. First as a member of Unison, when I was a local government officer and Unison was Britain’s biggest trade union. I then joined the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) which merged with Amicus to become Unite the Union, which overtook Unison to take the top slot as the biggest trade union.

Despite the differences and hiccups along the way Labour needs the unions and the unions need Labour. That’s why I’m so delighted to have Unite’s support.